The Act of Killing
A story of killers who win, and the society they build.
Overview
In this chilling and groundbreaking documentary, former Indonesian death squad leaders reenact their real-life mass killings in the style of various film genres, from gangster epics to musicals. As they recreate their past atrocities, the line between reality and performance blurs, exposing the lingering impact of Indonesia’s 1965-66 anti-communist purge and the unsettling psychology of its perpetrators.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
The film is set against the backdrop of the Indonesian genocide of 1965-66, also known as the 'Produsage' or 'Pemulihan', during which an estimated 500,000 to 3 million alleged communists and ethnic Chinese were killed. The film provides a rare perspective on these events by interviewing the perpetrators, many of whom held positions of power in Indonesia.
- Offers a unique and chilling documentary style that blends fiction with reality.
- Explores deeply disturbing historical events through the perspectives of the perpetrators themselves, providing a complex narrative.
- Features interviews with former Indonesian death-squad leaders who reenact their crimes in various movie genres, offering a surreal and thought-provoking experience.
- Provides an insightful look into the psychology of those involved in mass atrocities and the impact of such events on society.
Fun Facts
- The filmmakers initially struggled to gain access to the subjects, but eventually won them over by pretending they wanted to make a conventional hero movie about their exploits.
- Anwar Congo, one of the main subjects, was a key figure in the genocide and later became a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.
- The filmmakers had to navigate numerous challenges during production, including threats from those involved in the killings and the Indonesian government's censorship laws.